Blog

It’s Valentine’s Day and love is in the air. You may think you spend a lot on flowers or chocolate, but losing money in a romance scam would cost you even more. Last year, people reported losing $143 million to romance scams – a higher total than for any other type of scam reported to the FTC. And, according to a new FTC Data Spotlight, reports of romance scams are on the rise.

“We are excited to have the employees of Johnson & Johnson join the First International Insurance family,” says Daniel Toy, VP/Director of Insurance. “Both organizations operate as independent insurance agencies, providing a wide array of personal and commercial insurance products allowing agents to shop multiple companies and find the best coverage and value. It will be a smooth transition for all involved.”

Clients of Johnson & Johnson Insurance can expect a seamless transition. Their relationships with their existing agents will remain in place and they will continue to offer commercial and personal insurance with expert service at the insurance office, located at 1730 30th Avenue South in Moorhead.

“It was important to us to find a company that had similar values and believed in providing the same exemplary level of one-on-one service for clients. We are in good hands and are excited for our future,” says Greg Johnson, Insurance Agent and Manager of Johnson & Johnson Insurance.

First International Insurance is a division of First International Bank & Trust. Peter Stenehjem, the company’s President, shares, “Since the early stages of our company’s history, being able to offer insurance protection to our customers was important. Our interest is in our customers’ overall financial health. Having insurance experts who can help families and businesses in our communities secure the proper insurance protection is important as a full service community bank.”

###

ABOUT FIRST INTERNATIONAL INSURANCE
First International Insurance is a division of First International Bank & Trust. As an independent insurance agency, they represent a wide variety of carefully selected insurance companies in order to offer a comprehensive selection of plans, representing the most dependable insurance companies in the industry. You can learn more at www.firstintlins.com

ABOUT FIRST INTERNATIONAL BANK & TRUST
First International Bank & Trust was founded in 1910 and is owned by Watford City Bancshares, Inc., which is owned by the Stenehjem family. First International Bank & Trust is a full-service, independent community bank, a member of FDIC, and an equal housing lender. The strength of the Stenehjem family values, commitments to their communities and dedication to their customers remain their focus and lives on in all 650+ employees. Today, the bank has 27 branches throughout North Dakota, Minnesota and Arizona. To learn more about First International Bank & Trust, visit www.firstintlbank.com

Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday; the Christmas shopping season is upon us. At First International Bank & Trust, we want your holiday purchases to be stress free. Here are some tips to keep your shopping safe and secure.

Have a plan
Scope out the sales & research to see if you are getting the best pricing. When shopping online, look for the padlock symbol to ensure the website is secure, prior to providing your debit or credit card information.

Know your debit card spending limits
Request a temporary increase if you know you’re going to go above those limits. Standard First International Bank & Trust debit card limits are $500 at the ATM and $1,000 point of sale.

Consider having an “online spending” account you only use for online shopping
This not only protects your primary account in the event there is a breach, but also helps you keep track the amount of money you designate to spend during the holidays. Mobile transfers make it easy to transfer money into your “online spending” account.

CardValet®
Card Valet® is an exclusive offering that lets you manage your debit or credit card anytime, anywhere through your smart phone. Card Valet® allows you to turn your cared “on” or “off,” customize interactive alerts and much more. It’s a quick and easy way for you to monitor your transactions online and in-person during this busy shopping season.

Two-way debit card text alerts
First International Bank & Trust offers two-way debit card text alerts as a benefit to all debit card holders. If our system detects suspicious activity on your card, you’ll receive a text message with details about the suspected transaction. All you need to do is respond to the text message with a “Yes” or “No” to validate the transaction. Enrollment is simple; call us at (800) 359-8092 or visit any of our branch locations.

Mobile Wallet
Mobile wallet is a way to carry your debit or credit card in a digital format on your mobile device. Rather than using our physical plastic card to make purchases, you can pay with your smart phone, tablet or smartwatch. We are proud to offer Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Android pay compatibility with both our debit and credit cards. It’s easy, secure, and works at thousands of stores and participating apps.

Traveling?
Protecting your account from fraud is our priority. Share your holiday travel destinations with First International Bank & Trust by submitting a travel notification through your online banking or calling (800) 359-8092 to ensure the use of your debit or credit card is seamless when traveling out of state.

The First International Bank & Trust family wishes your family, a very Merry Christmas and a happy and safe holiday season.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN: First International Bank & Trust, based in North Dakota with 27 branch locations across North Dakota, Minnesota and Arizona, was recently named the top extraordinary bank in the United States by The Institute for Extraordinary Banking™ at the Best Banks in America™ Super Conference.

First International Bank & Trust was recognized as the 2018 Extraordinary Bank of the Year, a national honor for exemplary performance in five areas of banking: philanthropy, customer service, thought leadership, workplace culture, and financial literacy education.

“Being recognized as the 2018 Extraordinary Bank of the Year was an awesome accomplishment,” said Peter Stenehjem, fourth-generation banker and President of First International Bank & Trust. “We have been expanding our footprint by building new branches while other banks are contracting. We’re integrating the latest technology online and in the branches to enhance customer experiences and have reimagined the traditional branch environment by adding restaurants/breweries all under one roof. The acquisition of leading FINTECH company, Kotapay, is the next phase in our ever-evolving effort to not only stay relevant within the community banking arena but thrive in it. We are positioned well to continue our growth and prosper for another 100 years - taking us into the fifth generation and beyond!”

The Extraordinary Banking™ Awards highlight the vital, yet often overlooked, role that community banks play in our economy. The Banky™ recognizes the top 1% of banks: The Best Banks in America™.

“We are extremely proud to receive this top honor,” said Steve Stenehjem, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of First International Bank & Trust. “I would like to thank our employees who are driven to care for and create extraordinary experiences for our customers and communities, each and every day.”